Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Celebrates “Thanks, Birth Control” Day

Today, we recognize the benefits of birth control and the importance to educate young people about contraception

(New Haven, CT)—On November 17, 2021, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is proud to recognize “Thanks, Birth Control” Day, a national celebration of the many ways in which birth control dramatically improves the lives and opportunities of individuals and families. Birth control allows people to plan, space and prevent pregnancies in order to make critical decisions about when, if and how to start a family. Millions of people can pursue educational and professional goals, lead healthier lives, and follow their dreams thanks to birth control.

Although the right to use birth control is guaranteed, accessing care can be incredibly difficult. According to Power to Decide, more than 19.5 million women of reproductive age live in “contraceptive deserts”—areas of the country lacking reasonable access to a health center that offers the full range of contraceptive methods. 1.6 million of these women live in a county without a single heath center offering the full range of methods.

Thankfully, there have been great strides made in improving access to birth control in recent years. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), women, people with low incomes, people of color, LGTBQ+ people, and young people now have access to no-copay preventive services, including birth control, STI screenings, and life-saving preventive services such as breast cancer screenings and Pap tests. This is a step forward in leveling the playing field for communities that have faced years of discriminatory policies that result in poor health outcomes. In fact, the ACA’s birth control provision has led to the expansion of birth control access for more than 62 million people.

PPSNE is proud of the role that we’ve played in educating people about their birth control options and moving them onto more effective methods such as intrauterine devices/systems (IUDs/IUSs), long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), and oral contraceptives. A study by a team of students from Yale School of Management found that 62% of new PPSNE patients switched from using either no birth control method or one with a low effectiveness to a more highly effective method within a year of their first visit to PPSNE, while 81% of new patients entering PPSNE’s care who reported that they were not using a reliable method of birth control switched to a more effective method within a year.

“When it comes to birth control, there is a lot of misinformation out there and people don't always know what options are available to them,” explains Liana Cunningham, senior director of education and training at PPSNE. “At Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, our educators and health centers provide people with accurate, comprehensive information and supportive counseling so they can make an informed decision about what birth control method is right for them. Access to birth control gives people control over their lives and their health.”

Nearly nine in 10 women of reproductive age will use contraception at some point in their lives for a variety of reasons—58% of all women who use the pill rely on it, at least in part, for something other than pregnancy prevention including endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, fibroids, and menstrual regulation.

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England operates 15 health centers in Connecticut and Rhode Island that provide all forms of FDA-approved birth control. Last year, PPSNE conducted more than 62,000 visits for contraceptive services. PPSNE health care providers are reproductive health experts who can provide information and help find the birth control method that works best for each individual. Patients can enroll in birth control by mail to receive 3-month supplies of the pill and the NuvaRing, and the Planned Parenthood Direct app provides a convenient way for people to sign-up for birth control delivery right from their smartphone.

To learn more about birth control and find the method that’s right for you, visit ppsne.org or make an appointment online or by calling 1-800-230-PLAN (7526).